If you’ve considered turning to a ghostwriter for your book, you’re not alone. According to the Association of Ghostwriters, more than 50% of nonfiction books (including memoirs) published recently were written by a ghostwriter. There are many benefits to using a ghostwriter, but there are also questions to answer. One of these questions is whether to credit your ghostwriter.
While I can’t answer that question for you in your specific situation, here are a few reasons it’s a good idea to credit your ghostwriter.
It Shows Your Appreciation
Ghostwriting a book takes weeks, months, or longer. There are interviews and research to get the information for the book. Then there’s the writing process—putting everything in the right order, writing in your voice, and editing so the story has as much punch as possible.
Giving credit to your ghostwriter is a simple way to acknowledge the work your ghostwriter did for you. It tells the writer you appreciate his work and don’t take him for granted.
Giving Credit to Your Ghostwriter Doesn’t Negate Your Story
Thanks to the power of AI, a lot of people now wield the power to create heartless, mediocre books. These stories are flat. They lack color and humanity. You want something better. Working with a professional ghostwriter gives you something better. Much better.
However, you may feel self-conscious about partnering with a ghostwriter to get your book to the finish line. You may think that somehow your story doesn’t belong to you if you give credit to your ghostwriter. You’re wrong.
Remember—no one or nothing can take your story from you. It’s yours. It doesn’t matter who typed the words on a computer. They’re your words. You’re the author of your tale.
Crediting Your Ghostwriter Lets You Relax
If you’ve ever had a big secret, you know the stress of keeping it hidden from others. To keep that secret safe, you may wind up lying to your closest friends.
Hiding the identity of your ghostwriter is one of those secrets. If your secret ever comes out and people find out you lied, you’ll lose face.
Fortunately, there’s a simple solution for this. Credit your ghostwriter. It shows you know the value of a professional and appreciate an expert’s ability to tell your story the way it deserves to be told.
Wish you had a ghostwriter to credit for your book? Contact me for a free consultation to find out if I’m the right writer for your book.